Billiard football game

ABSTRACT

Method and apparatus to play a football contest which is realistically simulated on a pocket billiard table surface; comprising of a plurality of billiard balls having football field, football and player indicia thereon to be placed on said supporting surface and selectively driven into pockets by a hand held device such as a cue stick. The apparatus includes a set of ten billiard balls representing field yard line balls, football/goal-line ball, a cue ball and an offensive center player ball. Each ball is associated with a specific player i.e.; field yard line balls and goal-line/football ball for the offense to pocket, and center ball and football/goal-line ball to be pocketed by the defense. Players take turns on playing on offense and defense. A winner is declared when all drives have been completed and to the player with the most points.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTINGCOMPACT DISC APPENDIX

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

This invention is more specifically related to billiard or pool gameswhich utilize a plurality of billiard balls and a pocket billiard tableplaying surface onto which the billiard balls are contacted by a cueball in which the cue ball is propelled by a cue stick to be used topocket said object balls. More specifically still, the present inventionconcerns a new billiard game and billiard balls designed specificallyfor simulating football on a pocket billiard table.

Conventional billiard or pool games have been extremely popular andrequire each player to possess a high degree of skill and accuracy forpocketing a pre-selected target ball. For several hundred years thatbilliards/pool has been in existence there have been a multitude ofgames that have been played on a billiard table. A few sports have beensimulated to be played on a billiard table such as golf, bowling, andbaseball in which players enjoy both the game of their choosing and thechallenge of billiards. Some past inventions have physically changed thetable surface to again simulate a desired sport. In recent years therehave been new designs to billiard balls with colors and indiciarepresenting different sports leagues and teams to i.e. collegiateteams, MLB™ teams, NFL™ teams, NHL™ teams and NBA™ teams.

The game of the present invention is to provide a new method and newapparatus to simulate the excitement of the sport of football play on abilliard table and likewise have the players pocketing pre-selectedtarget balls. The present invention game rules combine the fast pacedaction and strategy of known billiards games such as nine ball and eightball mixed with footballs terminology and rules. The invention has twovariations of game play rules for novice or rookie play to more advancedor veteran play. The scoring system offers players the ability for easyand comprehensive statistical analysis, excellent self instructional anddiagnostic opportunities by playing the game.

Therefore the game will appeal to all players who are fans of footballregardless of their playing ability. The present invention allows bothseasoned and novice players, or for that matter anyone who can shootbilliards, to play, learn, and win the game. The game can be played onany size billiard/pool table. An apparatus of the invention, such as theoffensive center ball, can be removed and substituted for other billiardballs representing the sport of football with colors and indiciadisplayed thereon such as a collegiate or NFL™ team billiard ball foradded enjoyment and excitement to the invention.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention involves pocketing specially designed billiard balls thatsimulate playing football on a pocket billiard table. To start the gameplayers will flip a coin to determine who will be visitors and who willbe home. Visitors will start the game on offense. During the gameplayers take turns racking when on defense and breaking the balls whenon offense known as drives. Balls are racked in a diamond configurationof nine balls with the center ball at the head, football/goal line ballin middle and the seven yard line balls i.e. thirty, forty, thirty,forty, thirty, twenty, ten balls in random order or sequential order.The cue ball represents the offensive/defensive players that will beused to break the rack and pocket balls. Each player has equal number ofopportunities on offense to score touchdowns, field goals and two-pointconversions. Defense has the opportunity for interceptions, fumbles andsafeties. Both players may be penalized for fouls such asholding-scratching cue ball and off sides—a miss hit of the intendedobject ball. The offense will score a touchdown for seven-points whenall seven yard line balls and the goal line have been pocketed. Theoffense may also gain additional points on a touchdown scored otherwiseknown as a two-point conversion if the center ball is still on the tableand is also pocketed. An offensive player on the beginning of their downmay score a field goal of three-points as long as a minimum of four yardline balls have been pocketed on previous downs and then the football issuccessfully pocketed on the attempted simulated field goal kick. Thedefense may score two-points for a safety if the offense fails to pocketa yard line ball before the defense can pocket the center ball andfootball on the same turn. Offensive drives will end if the offensescores, fumbles—when center ball and football have been pocketed by thedefense, interception—offense scratches cue ball on break shot/passplay, or a defensive safety have occurred. The game may utilize ascoring sheet to track the progress and statistics of the playerscompeting. The game can be played on any size pocket billiard tablewhich can be played by children and adults of all ages.

BRIEF DECRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top view of a pocket billiard table with a set of billiardfootball balls thereon; and

FIG. 2 is a front view of the cue billiard ball; and

FIG. 3 is a back view of the cue billiard ball; and

FIG. 4 is a top view of the cue billiard ball; and

FIG. 5 is a left view of the cue billiard ball; and

FIG. 6 is a right view of the cue billiard ball; and

FIG. 7 is a front view of the ten-yard line billiard ball; and

FIG. 8 is a back view of the ten-yard line billiard ball; and

FIG. 9 is a top view of the ten-yard line billiard ball; and

FIG. 10 is a left view of the ten-yard line billiard ball; and

FIG. 11 is a right view of the ten-yard line billiard ball; and

FIG. 12 is a front view of the twenty-yard line billiard ball; and

FIG. 13 is a back view of the twenty-yard line billiard ball; and

FIG. 14 is a top view of the twenty-yard line billiard ball; and

FIG. 15 is a left view of the twenty-yard line billiard ball; and

FIG. 16 is a right view of the twenty-yard line billiard ball; and

FIG. 17 is a front view of the thirty-yard line billiard ball; and

FIG. 18 is a back view of the thirty-yard line billiard ball; and

FIG. 19 is a top view of the thirty-yard line billiard ball; and

FIG. 20 is a left view of the thirty-yard line billiard ball; and

FIG. 21 is a right view of the thirty-yard line billiard ball; and

FIG. 22 is a front view of the forty-yard line billiard ball; and

FIG. 23 is a back view of the forty-yard line billiard ball; and

FIG. 24 is a top view of the forty-yard line billiard ball; and

FIG. 25 is a left view of the forty-yard line billiard ball; and

FIG. 26 is a right view of the forty-yard line billiard ball; and

FIG. 27 is a front view of the fifty-yard line billiard ball; and

FIG. 28 is a back view of the fifty-yard line billiard ball; and

FIG. 29 is a top view of the fifty-yard line billiard ball; and

FIG. 30 is a left view of the fifty-yard line billiard ball; and

FIG. 31 is a right view of the fifty-yard line billiard ball; and

FIG. 32 is a front view of the offensive center billiard ball; and

FIG. 33 is a back view of the offensive center billiard ball; and

FIG. 34 is a top view of the offensive center billiard ball; and

FIG. 35 is a left view of the offensive center billiard ball; and

FIG. 36 is a right view of the offensive center billiard ball; and

FIG. 37 is a front view of the football/goal-line billiard ball; and

FIG. 38 is a back view of the football/goal-line billiard ball; and

FIG. 39 is a top view of the football/goal-line billiard ball; and

FIG. 40 is a left view of the football/goal-line billiard ball; and

FIG. 41 is a right view of the football/goal-line billiard ball; and

FIG. 42 is a top view of the set of billiard football balls in a diamondrack in random configuration; and

FIG. 43 is a top view of the set of billiard football balls in a diamondrack in sequential configuration; and

FIG. 44 is a top/right view of the set of billiard football balls in adiamond rack in sequential configuration;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows a pocket billiard table with a rack of billiard footballballs 1 set thereon in a configuration at the foot end 2 of the billiardtable to start the game and or drive. The front ball in the rack, or theoffensive center ball, is set on the foot spot 3 of the billiard tablewhereas the front ball is bisected by the middle or second diamond 4 ofthe foot rail 5 and the middle or second diamond on the right long rail6. The cue ball 7 may be placed at the head of the table 8 anywherebehind the second diamonds also known as the head string 9 to break therack.

The apparatus of the present invention comprises a set of ten billiardballs of 2¼ inches in diameter and approximately weighing six ounces andare of different colors, markings, and numbers that are selectivelydriven into pocket areas on a flat pocket billiard table and a speciallydesigned cue ball adapted to be struck with a hand-held device such as acue stick, and the apparatus consists of the following elements:

(1) In FIG. 2, FIG. 3, FIG. 4, FIG. 5, and FIG. 6 a billiard cue ballrepresented by one half of a hemisphere of a ball in the color of white10 and other half of hemisphere in color of green 14. The whitehemisphere 10 is bisected by a green stripe 11 which is centered andalong the great circle or meridian axis running to the green hemispherewith a green letter “O” 12 and below it with green wording in smalllettering reading “Offense” 13 bisecting the green stripe in the center11, and the other half hemisphere of the billiard cue ball that is ingreen color 14 has a white letter “X” 15 and white wording in smalllettering below the “X” 15 reading “Defense” 16 centered in and on thegreen 14 hemisphere.

(2) In FIG. 7, FIG. 8, FIG. 9, FIG. 10, and FIG. 11 one representativeten yard line billiard ball representing a football field ten yard linewith the entire billiard ball in green color 17 with a single frontalwhite stripe 18 on the great circle or meridian axis and two whitenumeral ten's 19 on both front and back of ball in which the number 110is bisected by the white stripe 18 along the great circle or meridianaxis and a white letter “X” 20 is centered in and on both the right andleft hemispheres of the ball with two white hash-line marks 21 withthirty degrees of separation that are parallel and in a longitudedirection above the letter “X's” 20 and with two white hash-line marks21 with thirty degrees of separation that are parallel and in alongitude direction below the letter “X's” 20.

(3) In FIG. 12, FIG. 13, FIG. 14, FIG. 15, and FIG. 16 onerepresentative twenty yard line billiard ball representing a footballfield twenty yard line with the entire billiard ball in green color 22with a single frontal white stripe 23 on the great circle or meridianaxis and two white numeral twenty's 24 on both front and back of ball inwhich the number 210 is bisected by the white stripe 23 along the greatcircle or meridian axis and a white letter “X” 25 is centered in and onboth the right and left hemispheres of the ball with two white hash-linemarks 26 with thirty degrees of separation that are parallel and in alongitude direction above the letter “X's” 25 and with two whitehash-line marks 26 with thirty degrees of separation that are paralleland in a longitude direction below the letter “X's” 25.

(4) In FIG. 17, FIG. 18., FIG. 19, FIG. 20, and FIG. 21 tworepresentative thirty yard line billiard balls representing a footballfield thirty yard line with the entire billiard ball in green color 27with a single frontal white stripe 28 on the great circle or meridianaxis and two white numeral thirty's 29 on both front and back of ball inwhich the number 310 is bisected by the white stripe 28 along the greatcircle or meridian axis and a white letter “X” 30 is centered in and onboth the right and left hemispheres of the ball with two white hash-linemarks 31 with thirty degrees of separation that are parallel and in alongitude direction above the letter “X's” 30 and with two whitehash-line marks 31 with thirty degrees of separation that are paralleland in a longitude direction below the letter “X's” 30.

(5) In FIG. 22, FIG. 23, FIG. 24, FIG. 25, and FIG. 26 tworepresentative forty yard line billiard balls representing a footballfield forty yard line with the entire billiard ball in green color 32with a single frontal white stripe 33 on the great circle or meridianaxis and two white numeral forty's 34 on both front and back of ball inwhich the number 410 is bisected by the white stripe 33 along the greatcircle or meridian axis and a white letter “X” 35 is centered in and onboth the right and left hemispheres of the ball with two white hash-linemarks 36 with thirty degrees of separation that are parallel and in alongitude direction above the letter “X's” 35 and with two whitehash-line marks 36 with thirty degrees of separation that are paralleland in a longitude direction below the letter “X's” 35.

(6) In FIG. 27, FIG. 28, FIG. 29, FIG. 30, and FIG. 31 onerepresentative fifty yard line billiard ball representing a footballfield fifty yard line with the entire billiard ball in green color 37with a single frontal white stripe 38 on the great circle or meridianaxis and two white numeral fifty's 39 on both front and back of ball inwhich the number 510 is bisected by the white stripe 38 along the greatcircle or meridian axis and a white letter “X” 40 is centered in and onboth the right and left hemispheres of the ball with two white hash-linemarks 41 with thirty degrees of separation that are parallel and in alongitude direction above the letter “X's” 40 and with two whitehash-line marks 41 with thirty degrees of separation that are paralleland in a longitude direction below the letter “X's” 40.

(7) FIG. 32, FIG. 33, FIG. 34, FIG. 35, and FIG. 36 one representativeoffensive player “Center” billiard ball in an all white ball 42 with afrontal green stripe 43 along the great circle or meridian axis with agreen letter “C” 44 with green wording in small lettering below the “C”reading “Center” 45 bisecting the white line on both front and back ofball.

(8) FIG. 37, FIG. 38, FIG. 39, FIG. 40, and FIG. 41 one representativebilliard ball representing a football and the goal-line field yard bytwo hemispheres; a half of hemisphere of ball is green 46 with a whiteletter “G” 47 on the left and white letter “X” 48 on the right with awhite stripe 49 running along half the great circle or meridian axiscentered in the green hemisphere bisecting the white “G” 47 and white“X” 48, and the other half of hemisphere of the ball is brown 50 withblack lines in center of hemisphere representing simulated footballlaces 51 with black lettering above laces reading “Official BilliardFootball” 52 and in black lettering below simulated laces reading “NBFL”53 and two semi-circle white stripes 54 on either end of ball.

(9) FIG. 42, FIG. 43, and FIG. 44 representative of billiard footballyard line balls i.e. the thirty, forty, thirty, forty, thirty, twenty,ten balls racked in a random configuration 55, football yard line ballsi.e. the thirty, forty, thirty, forty, thirty, twenty, ten balls rackedin a sequential configuration 56.

Play Format and Rules Description

The object of the invention is to simulate football on a pocketbilliards table by pocketing specially designed billiard balls that willaward points in a drive or rack. There are three-five drives per quarterdepending on number of drives per game agreed upon prior to the gamestarting by both teams/players. A game can consist of twelve, sixteen,or twenty drives/racks depending on what is selected by bothplayer(s)/teams. Player(s)/team with the most points at the end of alldrives will win the game. Two teams of two-eight players can compete ona pocket billiard table to score touchdowns; two point conversions,field goals, and safeties just as in a real football game during eachoffensive drive. Drives will always start on the twenty yard line withthe offensive player needing to gain eighty total yards by pocketing theeight yard line balls i.e. thirty, forty, thirty, forty, thirty, twenty,ten, and then the goal-line/football ball to score a touchdown. Thereare four quarters to a game i.e. 1^(st) quarter, 2^(nd) quarter, 3^(rd)quarter, and 4^(th) quarter. If necessary there may be over time drives.Players have the option to have 1) the first player/team to score inovertime wins or 2) each team be given a drive to score and if neitherteam scores or both teams are still tied after their drives have beencompleted then each team will be given another drive to attempt to outscore their opponent in overtime.

Terms & References—note whenever mentioned, the football/goal-line ballor goal-line/football ball is the same ball. The football/goal-linereference is for the defense to pocket where as the goal-line/footballreference is for the offense to pocket. A shot is when the cue ball isstruck with a man made device known as a cue to pocket or attempt topocket an object ball i.e. the thirty, forty, thirty, forty, thirty,twenty, ten, offensive center ball, or the goal-line/football ball. Abreak shot is when the cue ball with the “X and 0” markings is used tostrike and break open the rack of balls i.e. thirty, forty, thirty,forty, thirty, twenty, ten, goal line/football, and offensive centerball to start the drive.

Additional Rules—Additional football plays, results, and penalties aresimulated on the pocket billiard table such as; passing, running,interceptions, fumbles, punting, turn-over on downs, out-of-bounds,defensive blitz, holding and offside penalties. Depending on whichversion of rules are decided to be used by the competing players/teamswill determine the level of difficulty of the game and order of playi.e. rookie rules—easier play and veteran rules—harder play. Ruleversions are also agreed upon before the game begins: i.e. veteran rulesand rookie rules.

Veteran Rules—Format

Starting the Game—An agreed upon number of drives i.e. twelve, sixteen,or twenty for the game must be decided before the game begins. Whenstarting the game players will flip a coin (heads or tails) to see whowill be the visitor's team and who will be the home team. The visitorswill always start the game and the first drive on offense in the 1^(st)quarter and the home team will start the first drive on offense in the3^(rd) quarter. Players/teams will then continually rotate on being onoffense on alternate drives respectively for each half of the game.

Racking the Balls—On each and every drive, the defensive team will rackor “huddle” the balls. In veteran rules the yard line balls i.e. thirty,forty, thirty, forty, thirty, twenty, ten balls are racked in a diamondconfiguration (FIG. 43) to start each drive with the offensive centerball at head of rack, with next row consisting of the ten yard line ball(left) and twenty yard line ball (right), with next row consisting ofthe thirty yard line ball (left) and the goal-line/football in (middle)and the thirty yard line ball (right), with the next row consisting ofthe forty yard line ball (left) and the forty yard line ball (right),with the next row consisting of the single fifty yard line ball at backof rack.

Ball Pocketing Format—Players must decide the pocketing rules whenplaying veteran rules of either pocketing the yard line balls in randomorder (FIG. 42) or in sequential order (FIG. 43) i.e. first the thirty,then forty, then fifty, then forty, then thirty, then twenty, then tenyard line ball before the goal-line/football can be pocketed for a touchdown or field goal. Random order (FIG. 42) is easier versus pocketingballs in sequential order (FIG. 43) which is harder. On the break shotif any yard line balls i.e. thirty, forty, fifty, forty, thirty, twenty,or ten balls that are pocketed out of order then the next yard ball insequence will be the selected target ball when playing by sequentialrules.

Drives—Players will take turns playing on offense otherwise known as anoffensive drive. The visitor team will always start the 1^(st) drive ofthe game. A drive or rack is simply where the plurality of nine ballsi.e. thirty, forty, thirty, forty, thirty, twenty, ten, center ball, andfootball/goal line ball are racked in a set order in a diamondconfiguration (FIG. 45) to start a player's offensive turn (See Rackingthe Balls) The cue ball with “X and O” markings will be used to breakthe rack open to start the drive.

Downs—During each drive/rack there are a total of only four downs orinnings per drive. Downs are numerated 1^(st) down, 2^(nd) down, 3^(rd)down, and 4^(th) down. Downs are simply offensive players turns orinnings during the offensive drive. The offensive player has only fourdowns, turns, or attempts to score points. A down i.e.; 1^(st), 2^(nd),3^(rd) or 4^(th) down may consist of pocketing: no balls, a single ball,or a plurality of balls. Ideally an offensive player will attempt topocket the maximum number of balls i.e. thirty, forty, thirty, forty,thirty, twenty, ten, football/goal-line, and center ball during thefewest downs possible during their offensive drive. Ex: if thequarterback on 1^(st) down breaks and pockets a ball and then continuesto pocket all of the remaining yard line balls and then thegoal-line/football ball on the same down then it would simulate thequarterback throwing a pass for eighty yards for a touchdown.

Sequence of Downs and Plays—

1^(st) down offensive pass play

2^(nd) down offensive run play or field goal

3^(rd) down offensive run play or field goal

4^(th) down offensive run play or field goal or punt

Gaining Yards—The offensive player's objective is to pocket yard lineballs i.e. thirty, forty, thirty, forty, thirty, twenty, ten, in anyorder or a more advanced version of pocketing the yard line balls insequential order then pocketing the goal-line/football to simulatemoving down the field and score points i.e.: touchdowns, field goals,and two point conversions during their drive. There are a total of eightyard line balls representing a football field: one—goal-line/footballball, one—ten yard line ball, one—twenty yard line ball, two—thirty yardline balls, two—forty yard line balls, and one—fifty yard line ball.

Scoring & Points—Special point values are awarded as follows:

Defensive Safety—Two points are scored for a defensive safety when thedefensive player pockets both the offensive center ball and thefootball/goal line ball in the same down and no yard line balls have yetbeen pocketed i.e. thirty, forty, fifty, forty, thirty, twenty, and tenyard line balls in any of the previous downs.

Field Goal—Three points are scored for a field goal when any four randomyard line balls i.e. of the thirty, forty, fifty, forty, thirty, twenty,or ten balls have been pocketed on prior downs and the goalline/football ball is pocketed separately on the beginning of theoffensive players remaining down(s). When playing by sequential ballpocketing rules then the thirty, forty, fifty, and forty yard line ballsmust be pocketed first prior to a field goal attempt. If a playerattempts a field goal they must notify the defense of their intentionsprior to taking the shot on the goal-line/football. If the shot ismissed on the field goal then no points are awarded for the field goaland it is considered a missed field goal which results in the drivebeing over and the other team gaining possession of the football andthey start the next drive on offense on the twenty yard line and it willbe 1^(st) down.

Touchdown—Seven points are scored for a touchdown when all seven of theyard line balls i.e. the thirty, forty, thirty, forty, thirty, twenty,ten and the goal line/football ball have been pocketed during a player'soffensive down in a drive. A touchdown can also be scored if thegoal-line/football was pocketed on the 1^(st) down break shot also knownas the pass play. The scoring touchdown player has the option to attemptto score eight points for the touchdown if the offensive center ball isstill in play or on the table after the score was made and then it toois pocketed. The offensive scoring player must notify the defense ifthey attempt the two-point conversion. A touchdown scoring player doesnot have to attempt a two-point conversion.

Touchdown & Two-Point Conversion Failed—Seven points are scored for atouchdown when a two-point conversion was announced to the opponent tobe attempted and then was missed due to failure of pocketing theoffensive center ball when it was still in play after a touchdown wasscored.

Touchdown and Two-Point Conversion Made—Eight-points are scored for atouchdown when seven yard line balls thirty, forty, thirty, forty,thirty, twenty, ten and the goal line/football ball, have been pocketedduring a player's offensive drive or if the goal-line/football waspocketed on the 1^(st) down pass play also known as the break shot andthe offensive center ball has also been pocketed if still in play afterthe touchdown was scored. The offensive scoring player must notify thedefense if they will attempt the two-point conversion prior to the shotbeing taken. The running back will be credited with the ten yards gainedfor the two-point conversion if a touchdown was from a running play andthe quarterback will be credited with the ten yards if a touchdown wasscored on a 1^(st) down pass play and a two-point conversion was thenmade.

Offensive Plays—During a players offensive turn or drive the player willhave several plays that will be used during the course of the drive i.e.pass play, running play, play option, out-of-bounds, punt, field goal,and two point conversion.

Offensive Passing Play—The player on offense during their offensivedrive will be considered the teams quarterback when they attempt tobreak the rack to start the drive on their 1^(st) down pass play. Thebreaking of the rack is always on 1^(st) down. The breaking of the rackon 1^(st) down is always considered the pass play. The quarterback mustplace the cue ball behind the head string or behind the 2^(nd) diamondat the head of the table opposite where the balls are racked. Thequarterback must contact the offensive center ball (head/front ball inthe rack) on the break to start the play and drive. It is considered the“snap”. An object ball must be pocketed or a minimum of four ballsexcluding the cue ball must contact a rail to be considered a legal passplay. If a quarterback does not meet the four ball minimum to a railthen see (Offensive Pass Interference rule). The quarterback maycontinue to shoot after the break as long as it is a legal break/passand any ball is pocketed i.e. thirty, forty, fifty, forty, thirty,twenty, ten ball, or the offensive center ball. The offensive playerbreaking known as the quarterback will score a touchdown on the passplay if the goal line/football is pocketed on the break shot. Thequarterback has the option if they choose to attempt a two-pointconversion by pocketing the offensive center ball if it is still in playor on the table after a touchdown is scored. The quarterback must notifythe defense that it is attempting the two-point conversion before theshot is attempted. All balls pocketed by the quarterback during theirturn i.e. break shot and subsequent balls pocketed on the 1^(st) downwill be credited to the quarterback as passing yards gained. Thequarterback may end their turn at any time by notifying the opponentthat they are going out-of-bounds (see out-of-bounds).

Offensive Pass Interference—will result if:

1) The quarterback fails to contact the offensive center ball first onthe 1^(st) down pass play. All the balls i.e. thirty, forty, thirty,forty, thirty, twenty, ten, offensive center ball, and thegoal-line/football will be re-racked and the quarterback will be givenanother attempt to break/pass on 1st down. If the goal-line/football ispocketed on the pass play re-break due to the previous illegalbreak/pass on 1^(st) down then the goal-line/football will be re-spottedon the foot spot on the surface of the pocket billiard table and thedefensive player will shoot from the position wherever the cue ball lieson the table surface and it will be considered to start the 2^(nd) down.If there are any balls pocketed on the re-break on 1^(st) down by thequarterback i.e. the thirty, forty, thirty, forty, thirty, twenty, ten,or offensive center ball or goal-line/football the quarterbacks turn ordown will still end and they will not be allowed to continue shooting.The defensive player will shoot from the position wherever the cue balllies on the table surface and it will be considered to start the 2^(nd)down. The quarterback will not be credited with any balls or yardsgained. All yards gained will be credited to the running back.

2) If the quarterback fails to pocket at least one ball i.e. any one ofthe thirty, forty, thirty, forty, thirty, twenty, ten, offensive centerball, or goal-line/football balls then a minimum of four balls i.e. anyof the thirty, forty, thirty, forty, thirty, twenty, ten, offensivecenter ball, or goal-line/football balls must be driven to a rail. Ifthe quarterback fails to drive four balls to a rail then all the ballsi.e. thirty, forty, thirty, forty, thirty, twenty, ten, offensive centerball, and the goal-line/football will be re-racked and the quarterbackwill be given another attempt to break/pass on 1st down. If thegoal-line/football is pocketed on the pass play re-break on 1^(st) downthen the goal-line/football will be re-spotted on the foot spot on thesurface of the pocket billiard table and the defensive player will shootfrom the position wherever the cue ball lies on the table surface and itwill be considered to start the 2^(nd) down. If there are any ballspocketed on the re-break on 1st down by the quarterback i.e. the thirty,forty, thirty, forty, thirty, twenty, ten, or offensive center ball orgoal-line/football the quarterbacks turn or down will still end and theywill not be allowed to continue shooting. The defensive player willshoot from the position wherever the cue ball lies on the billiard tablesurface and it will be considered to start the 2^(nd) down. Thequarterback will not be credited with any balls or yards gained. Allyards gained will be credited to the running back.

Pass Interception—When the quarterback scratches/pockets the cue ball inany pocket during the break shot or the cue ball leaves the table on thebreak shot then the player quarterback will have thrown an interceptionduring the pass play. The offensive drive will be over and the opponentwill then have the next offensive drive.

Offensive Running Play—The player on offense during 2^(nd), 3^(rd), or4^(th) down plays is considered the running back if they attempt toscore a touchdown by pocketing all remaining yard line balls and thegoal-line/football. If playing by random ball pocketing rules then therunning back may pocket any yard line ball to continue their turn ordown. If the running back is playing by the sequential ball pocketingrules then the running back must pocket the balls in sequential orderi.e. the thirty, then forty, then fifty, then forty, then thirty, thentwenty, then ten, and then the goal-line/football to score. The runningback has the option if they choose to attempt a two-point conversion bypocketing the offensive center ball if it is still in play or on thetable after a touchdown is scored. The running back must notify thedefense that it is attempting the two-point conversion before thetwo-point conversion shot is attempted. All balls pocketed by therunning back during their running downs will be credited as yards gainedi.e. the ten yards gained on a successful two-point conversion play fora total of ninety yards possibly gained. The running back may end theirturn at any time by notifying the opponent that they are goingout-of-bounds (see out-of-bounds).

Play Option—The offense will have a play option whenever the defense hascommitted a penalty. The offensive player will have cue ball in hand andthe option to place the cue ball anywhere on the pocket billiard tablesurface as long as it does not contact another ball.

Fumble—Any time the offensive center ball has been pocketed and then thedefense pocket the football/goal-line ball during an opponent'soffensive drive then a fumble will occur. The offense will losepossession and the drive will be over with the defense starting the nextdrive on offense starting on the twenty yard line.

Out-of-Bounds—The quarterback or running back may elect to end theirdown at any time by notifying their intentions to the defense prior togoing out-of bounds i.e. “I am going out of bounds”. Once the offensiveplayer has announced their intentions they then can attempt to pocket orpocket a legal yard line ball i.e. the thirty, forty, thirty, forty,thirty, twenty, ten balls and their turn or down will end. Even if anyball was pocketed their down will still end. It simulates the offensiveplayer running out of bounds. An offensive player may also simulatecausing the football to go out-of-bounds to end the down by contactingfirst any yard line ball i.e. thirty; forty, thirty, forty, thirty,twenty, ten ball and then causing any yard line ball to contact andpocket the football/goal-line ball. The football/goal-line ball will bere-spotted on the table on the foot spot position for the next down withdefense having the next turn at the table with the cue ball positionwherever it lies.

Punt—The offense will have to end their drive by punting if they havefailed to pocket a minimum of four yard line balls i.e. any of the yardline balls thirty, forty, thirty, forty, thirty, twenty, ten if playingin random ball pocketing order or failure to pocket the thirty, forty,fifty, and forty yard line balls if playing in sequential ball pocketingorder after 1^(st), 2^(nd), and 3^(rd) downs have been completed. Thepunt is not returnable. The opponent will play offense on the next driveand the ball will start once again on the twenty yard line.

Turn-Over-On-Downs—If the offense chooses not to kick a field goal andto instead use a running play on 4^(th) down to attempt to score atouchdown and then fails to score a touchdown than the drive will beover and considered turn-over-on-downs. The opponent will start the nextdrive on offense on the twenty yard line.

Offensive Holding Penalty—When the offense pockets the cue ball in anypocket or causes the cue ball to leave the table than it will beconsidered an offensive holding penalty. Exception—on the 1^(st) downpass play if the quarterback scratches or causes the cue ball to leavethe table on the break shot then it is considered an interception. Onthe holding penalty the defense will receive cue ball in hand anywhereon the billiard table surface and it will be considered a “Blitz” forthe defense.

Defensive Holding Penalty—When the defense pockets the cue ball in anypocket or causes the cue ball to leave the table than it will beconsidered a defensive holding penalty. The offense will receive cueball in hand anywhere on the billiard table surface and it will beconsidered a “Play Option” for the offense.

Offensive Off-Sides Penalty—An offensive off-sides penalty will becalled if the offense:

1) Fails to have any ball i.e. the thirty, forty, thirty, forty, thirty,twenty, ten, offensive center ball, goal-line/football or cue ball tocontact a rail after a selected target ball i.e. any of the thirty,forty, thirty, forty, thirty, twenty, ten, offensive center ball orgoal-line/football balls has been contacted first. When a targeted balli.e. thirty, forty, thirty, forty, thirty, twenty, ten, offensive centerball or goal-line/football has been pocketed then no balls need tocontact a rail.

2) First contacts the offensive center ball at any time. Exception—Onthe break/pass shot the offense must contact the offensive center ballfirst. On a two-point conversion the offense may contact first andpocket the offensive center ball.

3) First contacts the goal-line/football and there are line balls i.e.thirty, forty, thirty, forty, thirty, twenty, ten still on the tablesurface. Exception—The offensive player may contact thegoal-line/football first on a field goal attempt as long as a minimum offour yard line balls have been pocketed prior to the attempt. Thedefense will receive cue ball in hand anywhere on the billiard tablesurface and it will be considered a “Blitz” for the defense on anyoffensive off-sides penalty.

Defensive Off-Sides Penalty—A defensive off-sides penalty will be calledif the defense:

1) Fails to have any ball i.e. the thirty, forty, thirty, forty, thirty,twenty, ten; offensive center ball, goal-line/football or cue ball tocontact a rail after a selected target ball i.e. offensive center ballor goal-line/football has been contacted first. When a targeted balli.e. offensive center ball or goal-line/football has been pocketed thenno balls need to contact a rail.

2) First contacts any of the yard line balls i.e. thirty, forty, fifty,forty, thirty, twenty, or ten balls at any time.

3) First contacts the goal-line/football when the offensive center ballis still on the table surface. The offense will receive cue ball in handanywhere on the billiard table surface and it will be considered a “PlayOption” for the offense on any defensive off-sides penalty.

Rookie Rules—Format

Note—All rules from veteran play are still in effect with the exceptionof the below rules and formats.

Tracking the Drives—There is only twelve drives per game. Players cantrack the twelve drives on the billiard table by using the diamonds onthe rails. There are three diamonds per rail. Four rails represent thefour quarters i.e. 1^(st) quarter, 2^(nd) quarter, 3^(rd) quarter, and4^(th) quarter. Each rail has three diamonds representing threeoffensive drives. A coin can be placed under the cushion on eachrespective drive to track the progress of the game.

Racking the Balls—On every drive, the defensive team will rack or“huddle” the balls. In rookie rules the yard line balls i.e. thirty,forty, thirty, forty, thirty, twenty, ten balls and the offensive centerball and goal-line/football are racked in a diamond configuration (FIG.42) for each drive with the offensive center ball at head of rack, withthe goal-line/football in the middle and the yard line balls racked inrandom order.

Ball Pocketing Format—The offensive player's objective in rookie rulesis to pocket any yard line balls i.e. thirty, forty, thirty, forty,thirty, twenty, ten, in any order then pocket the goal-line/football tosimulate moving down the field and score points i.e.: touchdowns, fieldgoals, and two point conversions during the offensive drive.

Downs—In rookie rules there are no downs tracked. Players will continueto play the drive until either the offense scores a touchdown or fieldgoal or the defense scores a safety or cause a turn-over i.e. fumble orthe offense throws an interception on a 1^(st) down pass play.

1. Apparatus for a billiard football game comprising a plurality of game balls to be played on a pocket billiard table playing surface;
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a game billiard ball consists of a green yard line ball with white indicia thereon representing the ten yard line.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a game billiard ball consists of a green yard line ball with white indicia thereon representing the twenty yard line.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein two game billiard balls consists of a green yard line ball with white indicia thereon representing the thirty yard lines.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein two game billiard balls consists of a green yard line ball with white indicia thereon representing the forty yard lines.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a game billiard ball consists of a green yard line ball with white indicia thereon representing the fifty yard line.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a game billiard ball consists of a white offensive center ball with green indicia thereon representing an offensive center football player.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a game billiard ball consists of half of ball with football indicia thereon and the other half of ball in green with white indicia thereon representing the goal-line yard line.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a game billiard ball consists of half of ball in green with white indicia thereon representing the cue ball defense X and the other half of ball in white with green indicia thereon representing the cue ball offense O.
 10. A method of playing a game on a pocket billiard table, comprising the steps of (A) placing a plurality of billiard balls in a diamond configuration on a supporting pocket billiard table surface to start a game or drive; (B) striking said balls with a billiard cue stick; (C) allowing players to choose rules and format for difficulty of play; (D) starting the game with players flipping a coin to determine who will be visitors team and who will be the home team; (E) having visitors start the first drive and the game on offense and starting on the twenty yard line; (F) having visitor and home players/teams alternate drives on offense and rack the balls when on defense; (G) having the cue ball represents the offensive/defensive players that will be used to break the rack and pocket balls during the game; (H) giving each player an equal number of opportunities during the game on offense; (I) allowing offensive players during their drive to score a touchdown, a field goal, a two-point conversion, or they can punt, turn the ball over on downs, throw an interception, fumble, or be charged with a penalty; (J) allowing defensive players opportunities to cause a turn-over such as a fumble, or a safety, or be charged with a penalty; (K) allowing any player to be penalized for fouls such as holding—anytime the cue ball is pocketed or is propelled and stays off the table surface after a shot has been made with exception to break shot or; (L) having an off sides foul occur—where a failure to contact a required object ball first or failure to drive any ball to a cushion after contact has been made with a required object ball; (M) allowing offensive drives to end if the offense scores a touchdown or field goal, a field goal attempt is missed, a fumble occurs, the quarterback throws an interception, offense must punt, a turn-over-on downs, or a defensive safety has occurred; (N) having player with the most points at the end of all drives to win the game; (O) allowing the game to utilize a scoring sheet to track the progress and statistics of the players competing.
 11. The method of claim 10, whereas balls are racked in a diamond configuration of nine balls with the offensive center ball at the head of rack, football/goal line ball in middle of rack and the seven yard line balls i.e. thirty, forty, thirty, forty, thirty, twenty, ten balls in random order or if players decide sequential order with offensive center ball at head of rack, with next row consisting of the ten yard line ball (left) and twenty yard line ball (right), with next row consisting of the thirty yard line ball (left) and the goal-line/football in (middle) and the thirty yard line ball (right), with the next row consisting of the forty yard line ball (left) and the forty yard line ball (right), with the last row consisting of the single fifty yard line ball at back of rack.
 12. The method of claim 10, whereas the offense will score a touchdown for seven-points when all seven yard line balls and the goal-line/football ball have been pocketed.
 13. The method of claim 10, whereas the offense will score eight-points on a touchdown otherwise known as a two-point conversion if the offensive center ball is still on the table surface after the touchdown is scored and it is then also pocketed.
 14. The method of claim 10, whereas the offense will score six-points on a touchdown otherwise known as a two-point conversion miss if the offensive center ball is still on the table surface after the touchdown is scored and it is then missed on the pocketed attempt.
 15. The method of claim 10, whereas an offensive player on the beginning of a down will score a field goal of three-points as long as a minimum of four yard line balls have been pocketed on previous downs, the defense has been notified of the attempt, and then the football/goal-line ball is successfully pocketed.
 16. The method of claim 10, whereas the defense will score two-points for a safety if the offense fails to pocket a yard line ball before the defense can pocket the offensive center ball and the football/goal-line ball on the same turn.
 17. The method of claim 10, whereas an offensive interception will occur whenever the offensive player known as the quarterback on the 1^(st) down break/pass shot pockets the cue ball or causes cue ball to be propelled and stay off the billiard table surface after the break shot/pass has been completed.
 18. The method of claim 10, whereas a fumble will occur and the offense will end their drive whenever the offensive center ball has been pocketed and the football/goal-line ball have been pocketed by a defensive player.
 19. The method of claim 10, whereas a punt will occur if the offensive player/team has failed to pocket a minimum of four yard line balls after three downs have been played. 